Redwood City and the Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (a committee of Bay Area Clean Water Agencies) are putting the word out that during the holidays, you can help avoid drain and sewage backups in the home – do NOT put cooking oil or grease down the drain, and you’ll Avoid Pain in the Drain!

Cooking fats, oil, and grease will block drains and sewers, causing backups and possibly costly drain cleaning. So don’t put them down the drain! Prevent raw sewage backups into your home, your streets, and the Bay.

Did you know you can recycle large quantities of turkey fryer oil and cooking grease? To find a recycle location go to www.baywise.org.

Here are tips for properly handling your cooking oil and fat and grease during the holidays – and year ‘round:

• Never pour fats, oil, or grease down drains, even if you have a garbage disposal.
• Pour cooking oil and grease into a sealable container with an absorbent such as paper garbage and discard with your other garbage.
• Recycle large amounts of grease or cooking oil (including from deep fryers) at Bay Area grease recycling locations (see www.baywise.org).
• Use food strainers in kitchen sinks to catch food particles and scrape leftover food waste into the garbage or compost container instead of the garbage disposal.

Thanks for helping to Avoid Pain in the Drain!